Save stock outboard - vote no on proposal 6

[B Walker]

So, BW, what you are saying is nothing can change, becasue everything else is now changed ? I don't know the answer either, but whatever is done sure can't hurt.

I will skip over the irony of that statement in the context of the title and tone originally of this thread.

No, Dave, what I am saying is until the 40 year slow decline in membership is at least stopped any money thrown at promotion is wasted as there are better things to spend money on than promoting an event. Also, that precious resources at the club level should be used to stabilize the membership first, then anything left over after that mission is accomplished we can discuss.

Promoting an event is the little picture. Stopping the membership decline is the big picture. We need to fix the big picture first, or there will be no little pictures to work on.

I was also trying to educate people to the cost of radio and newspaper advertising. It is just plain expensive and alot of people dont know that.

I looked up rate cards for print mediums serving DePue IL, Grass Lake MI, and Wakefield, MI.

They were all remarkably similar when broken down to a "cost per impression" basis. Better said: the cost per viewer/reader/listener for mass media advertising is pretty much the same nationwide in this country except for the Top 40 markets.

Think outside the box. How about getting that radio spot for free ? Line up some interviews... get a news reporter to interview you, talk it up. Line up some phone interviews with some potential entries from out of state, etc. Get the radio to sponsor the race...

These are great ideas and APBA should have a Public Relations person that could be working on this full time year round. It is a very specialized skill set to make those things happen and it is an unfair burden the APBA leadership puts on the clubs to make these very basic PR functions happen.

Until there is a change in the fundamental structure of APBA that will not happen.


BW

[B Walker]

John is like my mental twin, it is just scary.



BW

[csh2z]

Thanks Brad. Most people just think I'm a blithering IDIOT!

[RFR_Aero]

Thanks Brad. Most people just think I'm a blithering IDIOT!

Oh John, we don't think your blithering....

[csh2z]

That's good because I don't know what blithering means!

[Howie Nichols]

State of racing in FL:

1980s: 15-20 weekends of racing. Elims in ASR, ASH, and at least one other class every weekend. 150-200 entries average

1990s: 8-10 weekends of racing. No elims except on Divisional or record courses. 100-120 entries average

2000s: 4-5 weekends of racing. mostly 4 boat classes and lots of "rent a drivers" to make enough for a class. 50-70 entries average

2011: 1 race (Lakeland,FL) and the only classes on the schedule were CSH and AXSR. 20-25 or so entries

Stock and Modified outboard racing in FL is officially dead.

RIP

BW

Brad,
Stop.........

As of right now Region 5 has;

Florida - 5 new/old race sites that are being firmed up, some have confirmed and are waiting for 2012 so we can do things right and not just throw an event together.

Georgia - 1 or 2 being worked on

that is all in addition to the Lakeland, Lake Wales, Ocoee, & Jesup that we had in 2010.

By the way for as much passion as you show we sure could use your help at the race sites....


Disclaimer - Brad and I are old friends, we have known other for 25 years or so.....

[B Walker]

Howie,

If EVERYONE that lived in Region 5 showed up at a Region 5 race and nobody else, there would not be enough entries to cover the nut unless the entry fees were significantly raised. It is just an economic fact.

I was really trying to illustrate the impact that Region 5 has suffered in particular over the last 30 years with the downturn in membership. It has been one of the hardest hit overall in terms of membership numbers.

That said, Region 5 racing can only exist with the support of our friends from up north and even a few from the west of us.

I am glad to hear there is stuff in the works for 2012 and agree with waiting to do it right.

BW

The Austin I got from your brother Ben at the 83 or 84 Nationals is still the best roll up runabout I ever owned (so far)

I will be at Jesup Thurs to Sun. Just let me know how I can help.

Call or PM me no worries...

[propnuts]

And....

Tony,
No, it does not say by "doing nothing". There is a plan and it begins once this proposal is defeated by the membership.
Jeff
p.s I still have the same "verizon" phone number 330-842-2119

OK, the membership just voted to "save stock outboard", now what? Let's hear about this "plan".

[propnuts]

The plan?

I'm ready, lay it out there Jeff.

[propnuts]

Any time now

"Tony,
No, it does not say by "doing nothing". There is a plan and it begins once this proposal is defeated by the membership."
Jeff

I'd say this counts as "once this proposal is defeated", or was that just a line?tick tock.

[Jeff Brewster 59s]

Mr. Perman,
Do you think I sit and watch this site all day? Sorry, you did not get an immediate response right away and have the need to "call me out" on this website.
I am up to my elbows in West System at the moment and see that I better respond before you start to come unglued due to no response.
I do have a plan and now that we do not have a distructive idea in place we can look forward to our race season.
My plan is not a one sided idea and encompases everyone's opinions and ideas as we move forward.
My plan will build as the summer progresses as I get ideas and opinions from veterans like you and our new drivers as well.
I look forward to discussing your ideas at Wakefield this summer and will not ask you to broad cast yours on this website so the blood thirsty, negative nelly's can smoke me on here.
Back to the boat shop,
Take care, Jeff
p.s. if you would like to a call me, please do. I like many others have had my fill of the negativity on this site and need a break from it. Let's go racing!

[Gootz 142M]

Mr. Perman,
Do you think I sit and watch this site all day? Sorry, you did not get an immediate response right away and have the need to "call me out" on this website.
I am up to my elbows in West System at the moment and see that I better respond before you start to come unglued due to no response.
I do have a plan and now that we do not have a distructive idea in place we can look forward to our race season.
My plan is not a one sided idea and encompases everyone's opinions and ideas as we move forward.
My plan will build as the summer progresses as I get ideas and opinions from veterans like you and our new drivers as well.
I look forward to discussing your ideas at Wakefield this summer and will not ask you to broad cast yours on this website so the blood thirsty, negative nelly's can smoke me on here.
Back to the boat shop,
Take care, Jeff
p.s. if you would like to a call me, please do. I like many others have had my fill of the negativity on this site and need a break from it. Let's go racing!

Can't wait for the season to start so we can all focus on what we do best.....RACE!!!!

[Affholter66]

I have tried to read all comments with an open mind. I guess i am somewhat selfish in regards to this "class consolidation" proposal. My brother and I can NOW show up at a race with 1 Boat and 1 Motor..CSR..throw a plate into the 102..PRESTO CHANGO now we have a 25SSR...TWO entry Fees...TWO drivers on the water....Not getting how this proposal will help out pits...BTW I voted NO

[B Walker]

A lot of the people that voted for this proposal voted for it because they believe it was good for the sport. Some even voted for it knowing they would instantly obsolete equipment they owned personally.

Here are some reasons that some people voted for this proposal:

1) A simplified class structure is easier to promote and explain to new racers.

2) Some people have noted that the only years of membership growth in the last 40+ years have occured when brand new (or reconditioned) equipment is available and this proposal puts new (or reconditioned) equipment currently available in every class. Stock Outboard has not had new or reconditioned motors available for purchase directly from a dealer in every class in over 40+ years.

There are other reasons, but those are the big ones.

Anyone want to add to the list?

BW

WIth 32% of the votes going to a "yes" I was a little bit suprised at how well the proposal did. I did not think it would get more than 20%-25%.

Edit: I think some people voted for this because even if they were not sure this was the right thing to do, it is quite obvious that the current system is fundamentally flawed.

[propnuts]

Moving on

So the new plan is to plan to make a new plan. Sounds like a plan. Good luck with your glue and your racing, see you at Wakefield, provided gas stays under $10.